Transportation Problem- Taxi?

[Grumpy42]

I will be on a cruise ship and in Orlando for one day in April (Tuesday the 8th) . Since we essentially only have 6 hours (not including travel time) that we can spend in the park, we are exploring the option of going to Downtown Disney instead and spending the day shopping, eating, playing at DisneyQuest, and doing Characters in Flight.

My question is about transportation. We can take a shuttle from the pier to our choice of any of the Disney Parks. First, which Park should we transfer to? Second, what would be the best strategy to get to Downtown Disney from the Park? Are taxis readily available at the Parks and at Downtown Disney (for the ride back?) If taxis are available, any idea of ballpark costs?

Any input on the decision to skip the parks and go to Downtown Disney instead? We've only been to Disneyworld twice, but are go to Disneyland frequently.

 

[joelkfla]

Is park admission included in the cruise fare? You can get a lot done in a park in 6 hours, but maybe not enough to justify the $100 ticket cost. Epcot will be having it's Flower & Garden festival, so there will be a lot of floral displays & topiaries, and temporary outdoor food stands with garden-inspired dishes.

But if you'd rather go to DTD, Epcot or DHS are the closest parks, about equal in distance. Taxis start to show up at the parks around 11 a.m.; before then you'll likely have to call for one (407-422-2222). Taxi fare to DTD will probably be around $10.

 

[HopperFan]

Disney Hollywood Studios would be your closest to DTD. It's on the same road with a small parking area, quick in and out. There should always be taxis available at all parks and DTD. Upon arrival it might depend on what time they are getting you there. DisneyQuest is not inexpensive and it could eat up half of your time. If I were going to spend that I would rather spend more, spring for a park. In DTD I would be more likely to have a nice meal and enjoy exploring all the shops, Characters in Flight etc.

 

[Grumpy42]

Thanks so much for your quick replies. Park admission is not included in the cruise fare.

The cost for our family for one day tickets + shuttle would be $676

This issue is not all about the price because I know that we will spend money at DisneyQuest also ($38/person= $152 +shuttle at $246 for 4 of us= $398)

I'm concerned about being in the parks for only 6 hours during Spring Break. We will not be eligible for fastpass+ as offsite guests. We will not arrive at the park until 1:00 PM and have to leave b/w 6:30-7:00 to get back to our ship by 8:00PM. Not only is it Spring Break, but we can only be in the park for peak hours. So we have to decide if we want to stand in line all day to ride a few rides, or spend the day actually doing something. It's a tough choice to make.

 

[Grumpy42]

Thanks so much for your quick replies. Park admission is not included in the cruise fare.

The cost for our family for one day tickets + shuttle would be $676

This issue is not all about the price because I know that we will spend money at DisneyQuest also ($38/person= $152 +shuttle at $246 for 4 of us= $398)

I'm concerned about being in the parks for only 6 hours during Spring Break. We will not be eligible for fastpass+ as offsite guests. We will not arrive at the park until 1:00 PM and have to leave b/w 6:30-7:00 to get back to our ship by 8:00PM. Not only is it Spring Break, but we can only be in the park for peak hours. So we have to decide if we want to stand in line all day to ride a few rides, or spend the day actually doing something. It's a tough choice to make.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Spring Break Not eligible for FP+ Not arriving at park until around 1 pm only have 6 hours not to mention $676. Hands down I say forget the park just not worth it I would go to DTD Enjoy your cruise I really want to do that someday

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks so much for your quick replies. Park admission is not included in the cruise fare.

The cost for our family for one day tickets + shuttle would be $676

This issue is not all about the price because I know that we will spend money at DisneyQuest also ($38/person= $152 +shuttle at $246 for 4 of us= $398)

I'm concerned about being in the parks for only 6 hours during Spring Break. We will not be eligible for fastpass+ as offsite guests. We will not arrive at the park until 1:00 PM and have to leave b/w 6:30-7:00 to get back to our ship by 8:00PM. Not only is it Spring Break, but we can only be in the park for peak hours. So we have to decide if we want to stand in line all day to ride a few rides, or spend the day actually doing something. It's a tough choice to make.

I was thinking DisneyQuest at retail of about $50 but if you have tickets for $38 it might be worth it. Arriving that late, I would not go to a park.

 

[jgasko]

That sounds like a terrible idea. Maybe it is just me, but there are so many things that could go wrong with that short of a window. I am assuming you are using port canaveral, which according to bing is 1hr 7 minutes of drive time. That is assuming there is no traffic around disney, the expressway, or the port. It sounds like this is a cruise with a stop in cocoa beach, i would say if you have seen disney world before, dont stress yourself out, enjoy the beach. Good luck either way!

 

[seashoreCM]

I second the preceding. Do not stray far from the port.

If you do go a few miles, say to a movie theater or shopping mall, then shoot to be back at the port an hour before the ship boards.

 

[JanaDee]

I wouldn't go far from the port. Check out Port Canaveral, go to the beach, shop there, etc.

I'd forget about Disney.

 

[Carriemel]

As long as it was an excursion offered by the cruise line, you will have NO problems getting to Disney. As far as I know, all cruise lines will hold the ship for people who are on authorized excursions. There is no reason not to go to Disney; however, my one caveat to that would be that you only go to one of the parks the cruise line transportation drops you instead of going to Downtown Disney.

I'm assuming you're on the Norwegian Breakaway. The trip to Disney would be one of their authorized excursions.

Short and sweet of it -

DO IT!